Inauguration set for SLCC chancellor

Inauguration set for SLCC chancellor

LAFAYETTE— The public is invited to the inauguration ceremony formally installing Natalie J. Harder as the fifth chancellor of South Louisiana Community College.

Sandra K. Woodley, president of the University of Louisiana system, will serve as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Special guests on the ceremony schedule include Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel; Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rob Eddy Jr.; and Margaret Trahan, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Acadiana.

After a national search, Harder became chancellor in February 2012. She succeeded Phyllis Dupuis, who retired as the longtime administrator of Acadiana Technical College and SLCC’s interim chancellor.

Since taking over the post, Harder has overseen the community college’s merger with Acadiana Technical College’s regional campuses to create a regional community college with campuses in eight parishes.

“This is an exciting time to be at SLCC to lead the college into a new era. I’m truly fortunate to have such a dedicated staff, faculty and administration,” Harder said in a news release. “With new construction, new programs and new partnerships within the community, SLCC is poised for immense growth to ensure our students have the highest quality education and businesses in Acadiana have a talented pool of skilled workers.”

Prior to joining SLCC, Harder served as vice president of institutional advancement at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va.

She earned a doctorate in community college leadership at Old Dominion University and holds a master’s degree in public policy and management from The Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She and her husband, Cian Robinson, have two sons.

The ceremony is set to begin at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Cajundome Convention Center.

For information on the inaugural events, go to www.southlouisiana.edu/inauguration.